Ribault Middle School- It was 4th and goal from the 20 yard line in overtime for Ribault Middle School. They knew they had one shot at the end zone and they dialed up the perfect play call. #10 Quarterback Santana Jackson hit his TE #12 Montea Jackson on a beautiful corner route, as the tight end ran untouched into the end zone. The closest player to Simmons was his own teammate who mobbed him in the end-zone along with other teammates and cheerleaders. The celebration ensued as the stunned crowd in attendance realized that Ribault had just defeated Kirby Smith 12-6!
4th and 20 Ribault vs Kirby in OT and THIS happened! pic.twitter.com/3GxsJNbDDy
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
It was a great effort by both teams. They played hard from start to finish knowing how crucial this game was in the ever tight North division of the Duval County Middle School Conference. Both teams came into the game undefeated and riding high. Ribault with dominating performances against Baldwin and Oceanway, while Kirby impressed greatly in their wins over Southside and Highlands. However both team’s knew that they would get much better tests in their game against one another in week #3.
Ribault’s #5 Anthony Wells caught the first TD of the game pic.twitter.com/Lm32z5ERXf
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
Anthony Wells kicked off the scoring when he caught a long touchdown reception from his QB Santana Jackson to put Ribault up 6-0 in the 2nd quarter. This is Well’s first year playing Middle School football. The coaches are really working with him to get him acclimated to the speed and power of the Middle School game. He showed Tuesday evening that his raw talent and their efforts are definitely paying off. Wells also stood out on Coach Keith Johnson’s defense. As a former LSU Tiger, Coach Johnson knows the type of play makers he wants on an aggressive defense. He got fine efforts from his defensive linemen Chris Brown, Jajuan Cook, and #11 LB Corey “Robot” Cooper. The Ribault defense held the Kirby Smith offense scoreless for the first time this year.
Ribault discussing 2nd half strategy up 6- 0 over Kirby big division matchup. Both teams undefeated! pic.twitter.com/MZO0VHQ0Y2
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
Pick 6 for #7 for Kirby! They tie Ribault Middle 6- 6 3rd pic.twitter.com/IzufrJejfb
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
Kirby would get their points from their defense. A defense that had yielded just six points in two games. CB #7 Corey Coley would drop into his zone midway through the 3rd quarter, when Ribault’s QB threw a pass to the flat. Coley caught the ball in stride heading toward his endzone, and no one was going to catch him. He tied his team up with Ribault 6-6 on a pick 6, an interception return for the touchdown.
CB Corey Coley had a pick 6 in the game for Kirby Smith. This Forestview product shut down his side of the field vs Ribault Middle all night pic.twitter.com/Km18pj4UeW
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 28, 2016
The hard hitting continued in the 3rd and 4th quarters as both teams play tough hard nosed football. Kirby squandered several opportunities in the second half to score in the redzone that could’ve potentially changed the result of the game. #28 RB Lucious Lattimore and #24 Caleb Lillian pounded the rock on two long drives for the Comets in the second half. But both drives resulted in 0 points. Ribault would recover a fumble on their own 7 yard line late in the 3rd quarter stopping one drive. They would also get a turnover on downs on their own 10 yard line when Kirby’s QB thew the pass too high for the receiver to catch in stride. Ribault would tackle the wide receiver well short of the first down. Kirby had one more shot to score in regulation, but Ribault’s defense held once again on four downs. After the play, Ribault defender #2 Robert Simmons appeared to commit a personal foul on a late hit in which the referee threw the flag. However the penalty was assessed after the turnover on downs and not enforced on the fourth down play. Simmons, who is a big hitter for their defense, was clearly dejected on the sidelines. He would get an opportunity to redeem himself.
Tough running by Kirby Smith 4th qtr tied 6- 6 pic.twitter.com/UZaVv9MUAE
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
4th down Kirby misses in the pass but #2 Ribaukt commits what seemingly was a personal foul. But Ribault awarded ball pic.twitter.com/61JyTIYBzF
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
OVERTIME!!! Ribault and Kirby Middle tied 6- 6 Divisional game! pic.twitter.com/A2FhRtsIXg
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
In overtime the defenses continued to stand strong. Ribault stopped Kirby on five downs, as on one of the downs Ribault received a off-sides penalty. Ironically, #2 Simmons who was penalized for unnecessary roughness was the player to make one of the game saving tackles on the Ribault’s defense in overtime.
Ribault’s defense Playing tough on 1st down pic.twitter.com/rR9DLnFkQS
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
Tough defense 2nd down in OT pic.twitter.com/GbKkGZeLXw
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
3rd down stop in OT pic.twitter.com/HMdfYuUulm
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
Ribault Defense makes the play in OT stopping Kirby now it’s time for their offense to finish the game 6- 6 tie pic.twitter.com/mdLmhAf3C3
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 27, 2016
Ribault would get the ball on offense and Kirby’s defense would deny them three times. Kershaw Waters was a key force on the defensive line for Kirby as he penetrated the massive Ribault O-line. However on fourth and goal from the 20 yard line in overtime, Jackson and Jackson would make the memorable play on the pitch and catch.
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 28, 2016
#5 Anthony Wells looked off defenders all day scoring on a long TD reception in Ribault’s 12- 6 OT win over Kirby! pic.twitter.com/wBEIjCP3xk
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 28, 2016
Ribault has the inside track over Kirby in the division, but both teams have dates with Gilbert on the schedule. As for today, Ribault got a huge victory over a very good Comet team. A team that has come a long way in just one year.
Coach Charles Lee of Kirby has done an incredible job turning the Comets around this year. Playmakers like Corey Coley have stepped up big! pic.twitter.com/vPEUwEwrIE
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) September 28, 2016
Ribault Middle has come a long way from a year ago as well. A credit to the coaching staff and the new player’s they’ve enthused the program with. They are confident in their players that this is their year to take it all the way to the city championship.
[ABTM id=23843]
